Big Horn Solo Canoe Revisited
Build process documented along with the first trips out on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Big Horn Solo Tripping canoe builder/owner, Stan Heeres, has put together a fantastic, step-by-step construction log with a few, teaser shots of the boat in use. http://kchsvb.com/bighorn/BIG%20HORN%20CONSTRUCTION_files/frame.htm
In the near future, Stan’s logbook will be strengthened with a full, on-the-water, report from his son, Kevin, who has taken it out into the Boundary Waters for some serious adventure paddling with his Dad. Stan has offered brief report (see below) on the boat’s specifics and some of the intriguing details of its performance capabilities when matched with the John Winters designed, Osprey models in both strip-built and multichined plywood. The Osprey is the solo canoe that served as the inspiration for the Big Horn. My acknowledgement as to the influence that John Winters has had on my work from the outset is gratefully indicated in the original article here on my website. That short piece can be seen here: http://www.lunadadesign.com/big-horn-15-solo-canoe.html
Stan Heeres’ recent comments as follows:
“I purchased plans from you for the Big horn a few years ago. My son and I built the canoe and have since been on 2 Boundary Waters trips with it.
I promised you that I would detail the building process. I did and am just finishing the presentation up and will post it soon.
I have also built the John Winters Osprey (both the strip version and the plywood version). Here are a few details”
Strip Osprey
Lightest(34 lbs), receives the most comments by a wide margin (it looks really good), slowest of the 3 and hardest to keep in a straight line of the 3 at speed.
Plywood Osprey
2nd lightest lightest(36 lbs), very functional but does not get the comments, 2nd fastest and stays in a good straight line.
Big Horn
Heaviest(38 lbs), glides like a dream, Kevin, who uses it, will effortlessly pull away from the other canoes, tracks straight as an arrow.
It’s pretty clear that I am proud of the boat and how it has turned-out for an experienced canoe builder. Being able to say that one of my boats can effortlessly pull away from a design created by a known master in the trade is exciting. That it also has terrific tracking manners when loaded and out on serious water, really makes all the design considerations worthwhile. Stan, thanks so much for the really kind words on the boat. I’m really looking forward to Kevin’s report.
Posted: July 21st, 2011 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none
Having not published since January, it’s pretty obvious that I’ve recently taken a break from my design work. During that time, I’ve been able to reassess my connection to the craft of boat design. The last boat I designed was the Europa 20, which is a trimaran meant for vertical strip foam construction with sandwich style epoxy/glass laminates on both sides. The Europa is a boat for very fast day sailing with a very light hull and a very big rig. A boat that is not for everyone, to be sure, as it requires a level of skill that the average guy does not typically cultivate in order to fully realize the potential of the Europa.
